Page 96 of A Better Place

“What the hell was that about?”

I shake my head, trying to fight off the lingering feeling that the next words out of my mouth are a lie. “No damn clue.”

“You did good.”

“Thanks. Kind of had some pent-up aggression of my own, I guess.”

“You’ve never seen that guy?”

I have an eerie feeling I know exactly who he is, but the mistake I made was not asking Carly for a picture of Vince. I’m not sure why — whether it was because I didn’t want to put a face to the name or something else. “Nope. You?”

“Me neither.”

“Kind of weird, yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“Might need to talk to Tate. I need to go, though. I got a girl to go see. I’m gonna clean up. Catch ya later.”

“Sounds good. Have a good one. Tell Carly hi for me.”

“Will do. See ya.”

I go into the locker room, expecting to see my opponent, but he’s not in here. I take a quick shower, inspect my face in the mirror quickly, but see there’s just a small cut on my cheek. Not too bad.

After changing, I grab my bag and head out to the parking lot. When I get there, I see the same silver car that was sitting in front of Carly’s on Christmas Day drive out of the parking lot. And in the car is none other than my lovely sparring partner. I have a huge sinking feeling that I just met Vince Taylor.

Fuck.

Ten minutes later, I’m walking up the steps to Carly’s house, looking around for that damn silver car. I knock, but no one answers. I twist the knob, not expecting it to turn. When it does, I frown, knowing Carly never leaves it unlocked, even if she’s home.

“Beautiful?” I call out as I walk into the house.

“Back here!” she yells from what sounds like her bedroom.

I walk in and see she’s standing in front of the mirror in her bathroom, doing her hair and makeup.

“Babe.”

“Hmm?” she asks, taking a clip out of her hair before she starts curling another section of hair.

“Why was your door unlocked?”

“Um, it was?”

“It was.”

“How do you know?”

I raise my eyebrows at her then spread my arms out to my sides. “Well…”

“Oh! Duh, you’re in here. Um, maybe I forgot?”

“You never forget,” I remind her, knowing this to be true.

“I don’t know? I guess I did this time?” she tells me, but I can see the wheels turning in her head.

“Hey, it’s okay. Just wondering,” I reassure her, trying not to worry myself. I walk up behind her and wrap my arms around her stomach. I lean in close and bend my head to kiss her on the spot where her neck and shoulder meet. I groan. “You always smell so damn good.”

---